Improvement in machines for cutting coal



Patented April 8,1873.

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Machines for Cuttin g Goal. No. 137,669. Patented April 8, 1873.

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S. FIRTH.

Machines for Cutting Coal. No. 137,669. PatentedApri| 8,1873.

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SAMUEL FIRTH, OF LEEDS, ENGLAND.

.IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR'CUTTING COAL.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 137,669, dated April 81873; application filed June 5, 1872.

Description of the Drawing.

Figure 1 is a plan of a coal-cutting machine constructed according to mysaid invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is atransverse section on the line a: at, Fig. 2. Figs. 4, 5, 6, show thepick or cutting implement detached. Fig. 7 is a plan, drawn to a reducedscale, illustrating the action of the said pick.

Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawing.

a is the frame, which is mounted on the wheels I), and carries the wholeof the operative and adjusting mechanism of the machine. The cylinder,the distributing-valve and its casing, the arrangement of the admissionand exhaust pipes, the connection of the pistonrod to the picks, and themanner in which the machine operates to cut the coal or other materials,are well known, and, therefore, need not be-herein particularlydescribed.

The first part of my said invention relates to the construction of theframe a of the said machine. Heretofore frames for coal-cutting machineshave'been made in a number of pieces bolted or riveted together, andgreat inconvenience has been experienced from their becoming loose underthe severe vibration to which the machineis exposed in working. As themachine is frequently used in very deep mines, it is a matter of greatimportance to obviate as much as possible the necessity of bringing itup for repairs. I, therefore, make my improved frame of one piece ofwroughtiron forged into the shape shown in the drawing-that is to say, Imake the base or bottom a? solid and forge thereon the uprights a andthe brackets a. By this method of construcfollowing parts-via,- a doubletappet, d, is

fixed on the vertical shaft 6, which carries a lever, f, connected tothe spindle of the said valve by the rod g. The said shaft is supportedin the standard 0, which is firmly bolted to the base a of the frame. Onthe pin it which connects the piston-rod c to the links h, I place ananti-friction roller or bowl, '5,

which, as the piston comes near the end of its stroke in eitherdirection, strikes one or other of the said tappets, and therebyreverses the distributing-valve and the movement of the piston. The saidtappets are provided with adjustable shoes d which are held on thetappets by the screws d and can be set to any position thereon to varythe stroke of the piston and pick, as desired. The shaft 6 also carriesa forked piece, 9', between whose arms I place the stop k which is fixedon the base 0). It will be seen by referring to Fig. 1 that this stop isformed to allow the forked piece a limited reciprocating motion, whichmotion is shared by the shaft and double tappet, so that the latter,through the medium of the aforesaid lever f and rod 9, moves thedistributingvalve the proper distance, and no further, in eitherdirection. The valve-rod is provided at its rear end with a hand-lever,f whereby the valve is adjusted or reversed when the piston does notmake a full stroke.

Another part of my said invention relates to apparatus for adjusting andholding the picks m in any required position. The said picks are securedin the sockets or holders n, which are fitted to slide on the lower endof the shafts 0, the same being made square or otherwise properly formedto allow the said sockets to slide endwise while preventing theirturning upon them. The said shafts are supported in the brackets a andthe cap a The sockets n have necks it, around which I place forks arefixed on the shaft g, which extends across the machine, and is supportedin suitable bearings g secured to the base (0 This shaft also carries alever, g which extends up through a slot, 0., formed in the said base,and is connected to a forked rod or link, 1". The latter has a nut, rthrough which is passed the end of the shaft 1, the same having ascrew-thread to fit said nut. This shaft is supported in the brackets rfixed on the base a The shaft 1 is provided, at the rear end of themachine, with a handle, 1"", whereby the said shaft is turned in itsbearings. By means of this handle the attendant can turn the said shaftin either direction and thereby raise or lower the pick.

The machine is provided with a hand-wheel, s, which may be put in or outof gear with the-wheels b, as desired. When in gear with the said wheel,the machine may be firmly held in any position on the rails and easilymoved thereon, when required. The fore and hind wheels b are coupledtogether by the connecting-rods b, or the axles may be cranked andcoupled together by suitable connecting rods.

I may use any suitable picks or cutting implements, or series of thesame, with my improved machine, but I prefer to use the improveddouble-pointed picks shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. With this pick a groovemay be cut in the coal or other substance to the required depth bypassing the machine once across the base of the stratum. Therefore it isvery advantageous in cases where the coal or other substance will notstand up for a second cut. m is the first or leading point, and m is thesecond or following point. The point m cuts from face 1 of the stratumto the point 2, and the point m increases the depth of the groove from 2to 3. The dbm's made by the point on in cutting is brought outof thegroove in the return stroke of the pick by the arm m", which, at theback or inner edge, is made of a width nearly equal to that of thegroove. The stem or shaft m of the pick is curved or bent, as shown, toallow the pick to work in the smallest possible space. I have shown thispick with loose or detachable points, but, if desired, I may make thesame with solid points.

0 lai'ms.

1. The frame a made of wrought-iron in the form shown, or substantiallyin the same form, and forged in one piece, as herein set forth.

2. The double tappet 01 operating in combination with the piston-rod anddistributingvalve, substantially as specified, for the purpose setforth.

3. The double tappet d, stop 7c, and forked piece j, in combination withthe distributingvalve, as herein specified, for the purpose set forth.

4. The sockets a fitted to slide on the shafts 0, and in combinationwith the forks p, shaft q, lever link 1", nut 1' shaft 1, and handle a,for adjusting and holding the said picks, as herein set forth.

5. In a machine for cutting coal or other minerals, the aforesaidwrought-iron frame a mounted on wheels I; and carrying theabovedescribed operating and adjusting contrivances arranged upon thesaid frame in combination together, and with the picks or cuttingimplement shown, substantially as herein

